Indiana University named an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by APLU

Indiana University named an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by APLU

July 10, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University announced today that it has been designated an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities in recognition of IU’s commitment across all of its campuses to being a leader in regional economic development.

APLU is a research, policy and advocacy group that represents more than 230 public universities across North America. The designation awarded to IU and 13 other universities today comes from APLU's Commission on Innovation, Competitiveness and Economic Prosperity, which was created to help member universities assess and communicate their economic development work.

"This important designation by the APLU reflects IU’s clear commitment to the state of Indiana and, in particular, to the role the university can play in spurring and supporting economic development," IU President Michael A. McRobbie said. "This honor also is strong validation of the work being done by IU’s Office for Engagement, which is a powerful advocate for the university’s faculty entrepreneurs and a passionate voice for IU’s research mission."

"Public universities serve as economic engines for their local communities and states by conducting cutting-edge research to reach new breakthroughs, and by developing the talent to help existing businesses grow stronger and enabling new ones to develop and thrive," APLU President Peter McPherson said. "The 14 institutions receiving the 2014 Innovation and Economic Prosperity University designation serve as models. They demonstrate how public research universities extend beyond their campuses to engage their communities in economic development that creates jobs and improves lives."

IU's successful application culminates an intensive yearlong process of institutional self-study and engagement with stakeholders to identify the strengths of the university’s economic engagement enterprise as well as areas for growth and improvement, all which are being addressed as part of the Office for Engagement’s recently completed strategic plan.

Specifically, IU's application noted the university’s institutional commitment to economic growth led by the engagement office’s Innovate Indiana initiatives, which are dedicated to working with other universities, as well as government and the private sector, to promote economic activity in the state. Additionally, the university singled out the role the IU Research and Technology Corp. plays in supporting the commercialization of faculty research and IU’s internal commitment to leveraging resources and expertise related to supporting faculty entrepreneurs.

In its application, the university also pledged to work to further its economic development impact by developing stronger networks between IU and its various partners. In particular, IU’s Office for Engagement has plans to broaden the scope of its work to regional and even global partnerships with the goal of bringing more knowledge-based jobs to Indiana.

"Playing a central role in the economic well-being of the state is an obligation we take very seriously as the state’s largest public research university, and our comprehensive set of programs and initiatives related to economic engagement, which encompass all of our campuses, is consistent with the university’s mission as spelled out by President McRobbie," said Assistant Vice President for Engagement David Gard, who led the work on IU’s application for the APLU designation. "We will continue to broaden our work in this important area, working with a full range of partners in Indiana and beyond."